BirdForum is the net's largest birding community, dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE! You are most welcome to register for an account, which allows you to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Firstly in no way was this a birding trip. It was my stag do and thus there is a remarkable paucity of birds but...I did see a few crackers and nailed an endemic species and subspecies.

I stayed at the northern edge of Sant Antoni, away from the riff-raff of the west end in a dodgy little apartment block for a mere 8 quid per night. The pine maquis was a mere 100 yards from my hotel which was very good news for me.

On the 18th we landed just before sunset and my first Ibizan bird was a Feral Pigeon. On the taxi ride over I also noticed perched on the wires a Common Kestrel and another unidentified larger falcon. Once in Sant Antoni a movement of Audouin's Gulls provided my first lifer. These scarce gulls were one of the most common and welcome sights.

After a severe hangover i rose at about midday to go for a walk along the coast. Noted on this were 4 drunken accomplices, 2 lizard species, a profusion of Spotted Flycatchers, a juvenile Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and to my mates delight a number of desmarestiShag. The first Collared Doveand only Turtle Dove were also seen. Amongst the Audouin's Gulls I plucked a few Yellow-legged Gulls as i would for the rest of the week.

The 20th was an earlyish rise for a walk in the maquis. This was a lone sojorn and worth it. The higher maquis was relatively birdless save for a House Martin, a few Common Swift (i tried to make em pallid!) and a few heard only warblers. Near the edges of town though I had more luck with Swallow, a family party of Sardinian Warbler, Blackbird, a nice male Serin and using my tutors tip of pouring water on a bush to attract them, flushed 2 sodden Balearic Warblers. A Firecrest was also noted. Good result.

Thats pretty much it for proper birding although the sparrows were House Sparrows and I saw a couple of badiusWoodchat Shrikes around the island. All said 5 lifers and 3 year birds plus my first med shag and balearic woodchat. Perhaps could have done more but my head, guts and balance conspired against me.